Mouth Cancer

An estimated 54,540 new cancers of mouth cancer are diagnosed every year. If you have mouth pain or slow-healing sores, schedule a mouth cancer screening at the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas. Experienced cancer specialist Yadro Ducic, MD, FACS, provides start-to-finish care for all types of mouth cancer. Call the office in Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a mouth cancer consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer develops when cells divide abnormally in areas of the mouth, including the:

• Lips
• Gums
• Tongue
• Cheek lining
• Roof or floor of the mouth

Often, mouth cancer originates in the squamous cells, the thin, flat cells that line the inside of your mouth. 

Risk factors for mouth cancer can include tobacco use, unprotected sun exposure, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. You might also be at a higher risk if you have a family history of mouth cancer.

Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of mouth cancer. Dr. Ducic takes a patient-centered approach to destroying existing cancer cells to prevent them from spreading to other areas of your body.

When should I seek treatment for mouth cancer?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas if you have any unusual changes in your lips, tongue, or other parts of your mouth. Early warning signs of mouth cancer can include:

• Mouth pain
• Loose teeth
• Slow-healing sores
• Swallowing difficulties
• Lumps on or inside your mouth
• Red or white patches inside your mouth

Because these symptoms can occur due to infections and other conditions, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis without delay.

Dr. Ducic physically examines your mouth and can remove a sample of skin during an in-office biopsy procedure. He evaluates the skin under a microscope to confirm cancer and determine how advanced it is (cancer stage).

How is mouth cancer treated?

The goal of mouth cancer treatment is to destroy the cancer cells before they can spread elsewhere. Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas offers several options to treat all types of mouth cancer.

Typically, surgery is the first-line treatment for mouth cancer. Dr. Ducic utilizes state-of-the-art surgical technology to remove cancerous tissue and tumors from areas of your mouth. He uses specialized techniques that minimize your risk for tissue damage and visible scars.

Following surgery, additional treatments may be necessary to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells. These include:

• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy

You can expect to schedule routine visits so Dr. Ducic can monitor your progress. You may also need preventive cancer screenings even after your recovery to ensure mouth cancer doesn’t return.

Call the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas office near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of mouth cancer, or book an appointment online today.